Schell Games, the studio best known for co‑creating the three‑dimensional version of the hit party game Among Us and for the critically acclaimed I Expect You to Die series, has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs affecting a number of its employees. The news surfaced after Game Developer magazine cited a series of LinkedIn updates posted by staff members at Schell Games, indicating that the company began cutting positions on Friday of last week. One of the first messages came from the studio’s principal engineering manager, who wrote, "Schell Games had their first ever layoffs today," and clarified that they themselves were not among those let go. The engineering manager went on to explain the broader context, stating, "This has happened not because of anything you did or did not do.
Our industry (and beyond) right now is hemorrhaging." The phrasing underscores a sentiment shared by many in the interactive entertainment field, where rising production costs, shifting consumer habits, and a lingering post‑pandemic market correction have left numerous developers scrambling to balance books while trying to keep creative momentum. Further confirmation came from Dwayne Waite Jr., the studio’s marketing director, who disclosed that the cuts also impacted the marketing department. Waite Jr. listed four individuals from his team who were affected, adding a personal note about the difficulty of delivering such news.
In addition, the senior public‑relations manager at Schell Games shared a longer roster of names spanning the art, design, and visual‑effects divisions, painting a picture of a cross‑functional reduction rather than a single‑department purge. Based on the aggregate of these posts, observers estimate that roughly fourteen employees have been let go. This figure is notable given that Schell Games’ LinkedIn company page lists its total headcount in the range of 51 to 200 staff members, meaning the layoffs represent a non‑trivial percentage of the workforce. The public‑relations manager, who chose to remain anonymous in the public forum, expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride in a reflective comment: "I won't pretend this isn't a disappointing way to end this chapter, especially after almost six years.
But I'm walking away proud of what I accomplished during my time with the company, and I'm grateful for the people I got to build with." The timing of these reductions is especially striking because Schell Games’ founder and chief executive officer, Jesse Schell, has publicly championed a philosophy of protecting employee jobs even when financial pressures mount. In a 2024 interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Schell articulated a clear separation between financial risk and staffing risk. He said, "At the heart of it all is choosing not to put jobs at risk. We'll put cash at risk when we make a game, but we don't put jobs at risk.
Even if our own IP brings in zero dollars, we still haven't put any jobs at risk – we still have a path forward where we'll be able to keep people on. So, in a lot of ways, it's a choice." Schell’s stance has been part of a broader industry conversation about sustainable development practices, with many studios pledging to avoid layoffs by scaling back scope, seeking alternative funding, or sharing equity with employees.
However, the reality of a market that is currently "hemorrhaging," as described by the engineering manager, appears to have forced Schell Games to confront a difficult decision that runs counter to its leadership’s stated ideals. The layoffs also raise questions about the health of mid‑size independent studios that sit between large AAA publishers and ultra‑small indie teams. Schell Games, with a staff size that places it in the middle tier, often relies on a mix of contract work, educational partnerships, and original IP development to stay afloat.
The loss of staff across engineering, marketing, art, and VFX suggests that the company may be consolidating its core competencies, possibly shifting resources toward projects that promise more immediate revenue or cutting back on ancillary initiatives. Industry analysts note that the current climate is marked by a slowdown in consumer spending on video games, heightened competition from live‑service titles, and a cautious approach from investors who are wary of over‑extending development budgets. In this environment, even studios with a strong reputation for quality and innovation can find themselves under pressure to reduce overhead.
While GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Schell Games for an official comment on the layoffs, no response has been received at the time of writing. The lack of an immediate statement leaves room for speculation about the company’s future direction, potential restructuring plans, or upcoming project announcements that might mitigate the impact of the recent cuts. For the affected employees, the transition is likely to involve navigating severance packages, potential outplacement services, and the emotional toll of leaving a workplace they helped shape over several years. The public‑relations manager’s expression of gratitude toward colleagues hints at a supportive internal culture that may aid departing staff in finding new opportunities within the broader gaming ecosystem.
In summary, Schell Games’ first ever layoff round underscores the fragility of even well‑established independent studios in a market that is currently experiencing a broad contraction. While the company’s leadership has historically advocated for job security, the pressures of a bleeding industry appear to have compelled a reevaluation of that stance, resulting in the difficult decision to part ways with a segment of its talented workforce.